Digital Hub Management

What Digital Hub Management does

Digital Hub Management GmbH (DHM) is a German non-profit organization founded in 2010 and headquartered in Dortmund, NRW, that operates as a neutral orchestrator of innovation networks at the intersection of science, industry, and public-sector programs. DHM manages a portfolio of flagship associations and publicly funded programs, including the Digital Hub Logistics (recognized as Europe's best Digital Innovation Hub under the BMWi initiative), the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA, ~140 members across 25+ countries), the Open Logistics Foundation, the ATLAS automotive transformation platform (7.1M EUR BMWK-funded), EDIH-DO, DIGILOGIC (1.9M EUR Horizon 2020), and Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Ruhr-OWL. Its shareholders are the three flagship associations it manages: Digital Hub Logistics e.V., International Data Spaces e.V., and Open Logistics Foundation.

DHM's core technology is not proprietary software but rather its orchestration capability — establishing and managing innovation networks, building research consortia, coordinating EU and federal funding applications, running the EffizienzCluster LogistikRuhr legacy (100M EUR total volume across 30 research projects), and delivering knowledge transfer through events such as the Digital Logistics Award (500+ decision-makers annually) and the Zukunftskongress Logistik. With approximately 45 employees, the team provides consulting, project management, coworking infrastructure, and European networking services to SMEs, large enterprises (Rhenus, Dachser, DB Schenker, duisport, BEUMER), and research institutions (Fraunhofer IML, Fraunhofer ISST, TU Dortmund).

DHM's business model is non-profit and grant-dependent. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, but flows primarily from public funding programs (BMWK, EU Horizon 2020, federal SME digitization programs), association membership dues, and project-based consulting. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven: the organization acquires participants through its partner network, managed initiatives, and flagship events rather than direct sales of a product. DHM is led by dual CEOs Thorsten Hülsmann and Maria Beck, with Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael ten Hompel (former Fraunhofer IML Institute Director) serving as scientific advisor since founding.

Name

Digital Hub Management

Legal name

Digital Hub Management GmbH

Website

https://digitalhub.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Digital Hub Management GmbH is a Dortmund-based non-profit founded in 2010 that orchestrates innovation networks and manages publicly funded programs in logistics digitization, data sovereignty (IDSA), and SME digitalization across Germany, Europe, and Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovation Network Management

NAICS

Computer Facilities Management Services (541513)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Strategy & Transformation (BPAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Digital & Technology Transformation Consulting (BPAHACAH)

Keywords

• Innovation network management
• Digital transformation consulting
• Logistics innovation hubs
• SME digitization support
• EU research project coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Dortmund

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public funding and grant management: DHM operates as a non-profit organization primarily funded through publicly funded research and innovation projects. Revenue is generated by managing networks, coordinating initiatives, and executing publicly funded programs (e.g., ATLAS funded by BMWK with 7.1M EUR, EffizienzCluster with 100M EUR total volume, EU Horizon 2020 projects such as DIGILOGIC with 1.9M EUR).
2. Network management and consulting services: DHM provides innovation network management, knowledge transfer, and consulting services to companies, research institutions, and public bodies. Services include initiating cross-company research projects, managing expert networks, facilitating innovation roadmaps, and providing process support.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Digital Hub Management GmbH is a non-profit innovation hub manager based in Dortmund, Germany. The organization manages and coordinates innovation networks, publicly funded research and innovation projects, and digital transformation initiatives, primarily in logistics and IT. It operates flagship programs such as Digital Hub Logistics, the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA), and the Open Logistics Foundation, supporting SMEs, enterprises, research institutions, and public bodies with network management, knowledge transfer, and innovation process support.

Product overview

Digital Hub Management GmbH is a non-profit organization (Digital Hub Management) that provides a portfolio of interconnected innovation ecosystem services and managed initiatives rather than a unified software product. The core offering consists of operating and coordinating strategic initiatives and networks in digital transformation: the Digital Hub Logistics serves as the primary hub platform offering consulting, coworking spaces, and community programs; supported by the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Ruhr-OWL for SME digitalization support, the Leistungszentrum Logistik und IT for research excellence, the International Data Spaces Association for data sovereignty standards, and the Open Logistics Foundation for open-source logistics. Additional programs include ATLAS for automotive transformation, EDIH-DO for European digital innovation, DIGILOGIC for EU-Africa DIH collaboration, Digital in NRW for regional SME support, the Digital Logistics Award for startup recognition, innoclub for regional startup-corporate networking, DIHNET Academy for professional training, and EU projects including DIH World, BOWI, RISE SME, EUREKA, ALICE, and MDZ. Complementary service modules cover Innovation Network Management, Knowledge Transfer, Innovation Process Support, and European Networking. The organization coordinates these initiatives through its headquarters in Dortmund with approximately 45 employees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Digital Logistics Award: An international competition for start-ups and start-ins from all over the world with innovative digital logistics solutions, presented annually since 2017.
• DIHNET Academy
• INNOCLUB
• DIGILOGIC

Products and services

• Digital Hub Logistics

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ 'building blocks for efficient logistics' generated from 30 research projects with 100M EUR total volume
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer IML is a core cooperation partner and co-founder of DHM's ecosystem. It provides research infrastructure, test centers, and demonstrators that DHM makes accessible to companies. DHM operates the Digital Hub Logistics in close cooperation with Fraunhofer IML. Fraunhofer IML initiated the Open Logistics Foundation under the 'Silicon Economy' project. The institute also provides DHM with scientific advisory support through Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Henke.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Software- and System Technology (ISST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFraunhofer ISST is a core cooperation partner and co-founder of the DHM ecosystem. It works with DHM on data sovereignty standards through the International Data Spaces Association and contributes to the Leistungszentrum Logistik und IT initiative. Prof. Dr. Boris Otto serves as Deputy Chairman of IDSA's board.
• Technische Universität Dortmund (TU Dortmund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTU Dortmund is a core cooperation partner and co-founder of the Digital Hub Logistics. The university provides academic research capability and talent pipeline. DHM benefits from scientific advisory from Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael ten Hompel (also Fraunhofer IML, Lamarr-Institut).
• Digital Hub Logistics e. V.coreOthersDigital Hub Logistics e. V. is one of three shareholders of DHM and one of the flagship initiatives managed by DHM. The association has members from companies and organizations interested in logistics innovation and digital technologies. DHM operates the Digital Hub Logistics Dortmund hub as 'Europe's best Digital Innovation Hub.'
• International Data Spaces e. V. (IDS)coreOthersInternational Data Spaces e. V. (IDS) is one of three shareholders of DHM and one of the flagship initiatives managed by DHM. The association has ~140 members from 25+ countries driving data sovereignty standards. DHM manages the association's office and coordinates its operations.
• Open Logistics FoundationcoreOthersOpen Logistics Foundation (founded 2021) is one of three shareholders of DHM and one of the flagship initiatives managed by DHM. The non-profit foundation promotes open source applications in logistics. DHM supports the establishment and management of expert networks within the foundation.
• Digital in NRW / Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Ruhr-OWLflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHM coordinates the 'Digital in NRW' initiative, now rebranded as Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Ruhr-OWL, which supports SME digitization in the Ruhr region and Ostwestfalen-Lippe. Partners include Fraunhofer IML, EffizienzCluster LogistikRuhr, WZL at RWTH Aachen, FIR at RWTH Aachen, and it's OWL cluster.
• Start-in FactoryflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStart-in Factory is a key initiative within the Digital Hub Logistics that supports companies in digital transformation through 'Process' (innovation consulting), 'Place' (coworking spaces), and 'Community' (networking). Partners include Rhenus, Fraunhofer IML, and ADMA.
• innoclubflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partnerinnoclub is an exclusive network in Dortmund and the Westphalian Ruhr region connecting SMEs and corporates with curated start-ups. The 'Clubhouse' at TZDO provides coworking spaces. DHM handles contract management, administration, and strategic business development for the network.
• Unity AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnity AG is a member of International Data Spaces e. V. Dr. Reinhold Achatz from Unity AG serves as Chairman of IDSA's board, contributing to data sovereignty standard development.
• GAIA-X AISBLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAIA-X AISBL is associated with the International Data Spaces ecosystem. Ulrich Ahle from GAIA-X AISBL serves as a board member of IDSA, ensuring alignment between European data sovereignty initiatives.
• Duisburger Hafen AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuisburger Hafen AG supports the Digital Hub Logistics as a support partner. Markus Bangen serves on the board of Digital Hub Logistics e. V. The port operator contributes industry expertise and network access to the logistics innovation ecosystem.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of FinlandflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerVTT is one of three European DIH partners in the DIGILOGIC project, collaborating with DHM (coordinator), Friuli Innovazione (Italy), MEST (Ghana), and BongoHive (Zambia) to foster EU-Africa DIH cooperation and smart logistics solutions.
• Friuli Innovazione (Italy)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriuli Innovazione is one of three European DIH partners in the DIGILOGIC project, working with DHM and VTT to connect European and African DIHs and promote emerging technologies (AI, IoT, blockchain, etc.) for logistics.
• MEST (Ghana)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEST is an African tech hub partner in the DIGILOGIC project, representing the African DIH ecosystem alongside BongoHive (Zambia). MEST contributes to the EU-Africa innovation network and smart logistics knowledge transfer.
• BongoHive (Zambia)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBongoHive is an African tech hub partner in the DIGILOGIC project, collaborating with DHM (coordinator), VTT, and MEST to build EU-Africa DIH partnerships for logistics innovation.
• Endeva (Germany)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndeva is a social consulting company involved in the DIGILOGIC project, contributing expertise in sustainable development and impact measurement for EU-Africa logistics innovation initiatives.
• APODISSI (Nigeria)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPODISSI is an SME partner in the DIGILOGIC project, representing Nigerian industry perspective in the EU-Africa logistics innovation ecosystem.
• ALICE (Association for Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerALICE is a European technology platform for logistics and supply chain innovation that DHM collaborates with on innovation network management and research project coordination.
• DIHNET ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHM participates in DIHNET, a European DIH network. DHM supports the DIHNET Academy's mentoring program that trains professionals in building and orchestrating strategic public-private innovation networks across Europe. Supported by DHN, TNO, Civitta, and Fundingbox.
• DIH World ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHM participates in DIH World, a European project connecting DIHs globally. The initiative supports over-regional cooperation between digital innovation hubs.
• BOWI (Boosting Wider Open Innovation) ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHM participates in BOWI, a European project focused on boosting wider open innovation. The initiative promotes cross-border DIH collaboration and open innovation practices.
• RISE SME ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHM participates in RISE SME, a European project supporting SME innovation through digital innovation hubs. The initiative helps SMEs access DIH services and capabilities.
• DIH Squared ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHM participates in DIH Squared (DIH²), a European project connecting and scaling digital innovation hub services across regions to support SME digital transformation.
• EUREKA Clusters ProgrammeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHM participates in EUREKA, a European intergovernmental organization for research and development. EUREKA supports market-oriented R&D projects with public funding across European countries.
• IKIGAI Project ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIKIGAI is an EU project addressing the EU Green Deal goals, supporting the transition to emission-free, collaborative logistics through standardized, interoperable systems. DHM contributes to the initiative's ecosystem building.
• GOLIA Project ConsortiumflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGOLIA develops a Mobility Smart Governance model based on data-driven approaches and inclusive political decision-making processes, ensuring adaptive, accessible, and equitable mobility systems.
• Digital Logistics Technology Laboratory (DTLF)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDTLF is a European platform for digital logistics that DHM collaborates with, contributing to standardization and digital transformation in logistics across Europe.
• DINALOG (Dutch Institute for Advanced Logistics)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDINALOG is a Dutch research institute for advanced logistics that DHM collaborates with on European logistics innovation projects and knowledge exchange.
• ZLC (Zaragoza Logistics Center, Spain)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerZLC is a logistics research center in Spain that DHM collaborates with on European logistics innovation projects and education exchange.
• Open Logistics Foundation supporting companies (AEB, BLG Logistics Group, GS1 Germany, Lobster Logistics Cloud, Setlog Holding)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple logistics companies have announced participation in the Open Logistics Foundation's funding association (Open Logistics e.V.), including AEB, BLG Logistics Group, GS1 Germany, Lobster Logistics Cloud, Setlog Holding, and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. These companies contribute to the foundation's open source repository and standards work.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): TNO is a Dutch applied research organization that, like DHM and Fraunhofer IML, participates as a co-coordinator in EU DIH projects (DIHNET, DIH World). Both organizations bridge public research funding and corporate/SME innovation outcomes in logistics and digital transformation.
• DINALOG (Dutch Institute for Advanced Logistics): DINALOG is the Dutch public-private partnership for advanced logistics that partners with DHM in EU logistics innovation projects. Both organizations function as regional logistics innovation intermediaries connecting research, corporate users, and public funding.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: VTT is a Nordic applied research organization that partners with DHM in DIGILOGIC and other EU DIH projects. It performs a comparable role in connecting national/EU research funding to industrial SMEs and is one of three European DIHs in DIGILOGIC alongside DHM.
• ALICE (Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe): ALICE is a European Technology Platform for logistics and supply chain innovation that DHM collaborates with directly. It is a peer in coordinating industry-driven R&D roadmaps and represents the broader pan-European logistics innovation orchestration role that DHM plays at the German hub level.
• FundingBox: FundingBox is a European fintech and innovation hub operator that, like DHM, manages DIH-related programs and grant distribution under EU initiatives such as DIHNET, DIH World, and BOWI in which DHM also participates. It is a directly comparable ecosystem orchestrator serving SMEs across Europe.
• Civitta: Civitta is an innovation consultancy and DIHNET partner that helps design and run EU-funded innovation programs and DIH services. It competes with DHM for program-management mandates within EU DIH networks and shares DIHNET Academy-style capacity-building work.
• ZLC Zaragoza Logistics Center: ZLC is a Spanish logistics research and education center collaborating with DHM in European logistics projects. It serves as a comparable education-and-research-and-innovation hub focused on supply chain transformation, much like DHM's Leistungszentrum Logistik und IT.
• Smart Industry (NL) / Flanders Make: Smart Industry is the Dutch Digital Innovation Hub umbrella coordinating industry-driven innovation for SMEs in the Netherlands, comparable in mandate to Digital Hub Logistics. Flanders Make is the Belgian strategic research center for manufacturing, similarly aligned in research-to-industry intermediation that DHM performs with Fraunhofer IML.

Regional players

• Lamarr-Institut für Maschinelles Lernen und Künstliche Intelligenz: Lamarr-Institut is a Dortmund-based ML/AI research consortium co-led by Fraunhofer IML and TU Dortmund, sharing many of DHM's anchor partners. It is a regional peer in connecting cutting-edge research with industrial deployment in the same Dortmund ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• DTI (Danish Technological Institute): DTI is a larger, established applied-research and innovation-services organization that runs DIH-like services for Danish SMEs. It represents the broader-incumbent analog: an established national institute performing similar SME digitalization, testing, and innovation-network services that DHM offers at the German/European hub level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQncnD4gUskOH-Gk4xJOZ6A
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digitalhubmanagement

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Digital Hub Management